Due to the prevalence of rape culture in our society, the catcalling passenger may have truly believed he hadn’t done anything wrong.

In his mind, he may have thought he was simply being jovial or that his remark would be considered a compliment.

Regardless, his behavior is inexcusable, but the incident speaks to a more deeply rooted problem related to the normalization of sexual harassment.

Women are faced with this demeaning behavior very frequently, and oftentimes, there are no security guards or colleagues around to help neutralize the situation.

In those cases, the violated woman is faced with the difficult decision to defend herself — possibly risking more harassment and intimidation — or ignore it, and inadvertently make the heckler believe his actions are acceptable.

Alaska Airlines' diligence in removing the disruptive passenger wasn’t just an act in support of their employee, but for all of the women on that plane who he made uncomfortable.